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3/14/18

Why Moderates Can't Save Us From "Extremism"

By: Jonathan Harris

A recent article in the New York Times actually draws attention to a
real issue. The author notices that there is a problem in communication
between the left and the right. This is for the most part true. However,
the author’s solution will never work.

One of the fallacies of
our modern time is thinking that extremism is the problem. As long as
people weren’t so extreme they could actually have dialogue with one
another and make progress. This could not be further from the truth.
Someone who is extreme in regard to their love for others does not need
to be moderated. Similarly, someone who is extreme in regard to hating
others does not need to be moderated. One needs to be championed and the
other defeated.

The
author seems to think that the solution for our political problems is
going to come from the moderates. The moderates though are just as human
as the liberals and conservatives. Consider the reason someone may
describe themselves as moderate. Perhaps they have not thought through
the issues as deeply and therefore are unwilling to take a side. It
should go without saying that no solution will come from someone who has
not thought through it. Or it may be that they have an alternative view
on a particular topic. If this is the case then a third potential for
extremism has just developed. Problem not solved. Still a third option
could be they may have a chosen side but their tone is softer and more
attractive. This probably comes close to the moderate described by the
author. So potentially sneaky extremists, or extremists with better
manners are going to save us?

There is no way to defeat trolls
and smug elitists by condescending to trolls and smug elitists. The
solution must come from defeating evil wherever it is found by another
form of extremism. An extremism that teaches loving radically, speaking
truthfully, and not mincing words when it comes to evil is the only way
to combat the alleged extremism the author complains about.

What
the author is really complaining about is a left and a right devoid of
Christian value. The solution is to go back to Christian standards of
belief and etiquette. Those will not come from moderating between two
standards devoid of them. They will come from adhering to the once
cherished standard of Christianity- something that Is not part of the
make up of the ideal moderate because it sounds too conservative.
Political discourse got worse when Christianity became less influential.
A failure to recognize this is why the author’s solution will not work.